FEB. 16, 2023

UN Women donates 5,000 emergency menstrual kits for women affected by the fires

This is a real measure of support for affected women, who have experienced difficulties in accessing health services as a result of the emergency. 

The coordinator of UN Women in Chile, Gabriela Rosero, has made a significant donation of 5,000 emergency menstrual kits for women affected by the fires in Chile’s south-central zone. She was accompanied by Women and Gender Equity Minister Antonia Orellana and Foreign Affairs Minister Antonia Urrejola. 

It is a real measure of support for affected women, who have experienced difficulties in accessing health services as a result of the emergency. It is part of a series of operations and actions carried out by the Women and Gender Equity Ministry in this area. 

 

“Menstrual health is an issue that is usually forgotten in emergencies; but, as experience shows us, it can lead to health problems if not dealt with,” said Women and Gender Equity Minister Antonia Orellana. 

 

The kits will be distributed as follows: 50% for the Biobío Region; 30% for the Ñuble Region; and 20% for La Araucanía Region. These percentages relate to the distribution of these affected in each region. The regional secretaries of the Women and Gender Equity Ministry will be in charge of handing out the kits. 

The aid has been provided for a period of two months, which translates into the following number per region: 2,500 in Biobío; 1,500 in Ñuble; and 1,000 in La Araucanía. 

Each kit contains the following items: 

  • 2 packets of night time sanitary pads 
  • 2 packets of day time sanitary pads 
  • 1 packet of wet wipes 
  • Each packet will contain a minimum of eight sanitary pads and 80 wet wipes; each person will receive two kits. 
Rights of women and girls 

With regard to this contribution, the Women Minister indicated that “menstrual health is an issue that is usually forgotten in emergencies; but, as experience shows us, it can lead to health problems if not dealt with. We are therefore very happy because UN Women has responded to our call and has arranged the delivery of 5,000 menstrual health kits.” 

Foreign Affairs Minister Antonia Urrejola emphasized, “as the Women Minister has pointed out, women are not alone. In this context, where so many people have lost their homes and are living in extreme situations, we also have to worry about such basic things that are sometimes forgotten. I want to point out that, at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, we have been moved by the amount of international aid that we have received over these last ten days, which adds up to more than 800 brigade members and firefighters, monetary donations from different countries and implements.” 

Lastly, the UN Women representative in Chile, Gabriela Rosero, stated, “on behalf of UN Women, we want to reiterate our solidarity with the Government of Chile and with the more than 100,000 people affected by the fires. This is a specific donation, because we are fully aware that, in times of crisis and emergency, the needs of women and girls are different. This donation reflects that and also supports the exercise of the right of women and girls to proper menstrual health.”